Port moved closer to the top bunch in Thai League with a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over arch-rivals SCG Muang Thong United on Saturday night.
The hosts grabbed the upper hand at the half-hour mark when in-form Nelson Bonilla struck home after Muang Thong goalkeeper Somporn Yos failed to grab a cross from Sergio Suarez.
The Kirins seemed happy to have the possession in the midfield at the rain-hit PAT Stadium but it was Port who really threatened with their counter-attacks in the first half.
Muang Thong were more crafty after the break, but Picha Autra, Adisak Kraisorn and Poramet Arjvilai took turns to waste chances.
It was the only second win for Port in five outings so far, and it came on the back of a shock 2-1 defeat at Suphanburi last week.
Former champions Buriram United took sole possession of the top spot after Samut Prakan City's bid to go No.1 place ended in a shock 3-1 loss at home to promoted Chiangmai United.
Yannick Boli grabbed two goals for Chiangmai and Khapfa Boonmatun added the third. Eliandro scored the only goal for the hosts.
Buriram helped their cause with a 2-0 victory at PT Prachuap.
Samuel Rosa netted the first goal for Buriram after 20 minutes and Supachai Chaided picked up the second in the last 10 minutes of the match.
Meanwhile, defending champions BG Pathum United return after serving out a 14-day quarantine after a visit to South Korea for an AFC Champions League this evening when they host promoted Khon Kaen United.
